System and method for storing and retrieving three dimensional shapes using two dimensional contrast images
First Claim
1. A system for retrieving graphic data images representing three dimensional shapes, comprising:
- a CRT display unit comprising a display screen;
a database comprising;
first memory means for storing a plurality of sets of graphic data, each one of the plurality of sets of graphic data representing a three dimensional shape;
contrast image generation means for generating a plurality of contrast images, each one of the plurality of contrast images being respectively generated from corresponding ones of the plurality of sets of graphic data, each one of the plurality of contrast images being a two dimensional contrast view of a represented three dimensional shape showing a contrast of a shape of the represented three dimensional shape;
second memory means for storing the plurality of contrast images; and
means for correlating each one of the plurality of sets of graphic data representing the plurality of contrast images with a corresponding one of the plurality of sets of graphic data;
controlling means for providing control signals from a user of the system; and
a central processing unit comprising;
first display means for displaying, in accordance with the control signals, a first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images on a first portion of the display screen;
selecting means for selecting, in accordance with the control signals, at least one of the first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images displayed on the first portion of the display screen;
retrieving means for retrieving one of the plurality of sets of graphic data corresponding to a selected one of the first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images out of the database; and
second display means for displaying, on a second portion of the display screen, the three dimensional shape represented by the one of the plurality of sets of graphic data corresponding to the selected one of the first predetermined number of contrast images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system for retrieving graphic data. The system stores a plurality of sets of three dimensional graphic data each defining a three dimensional shape. The system further stores sets of two dimensional contrast data each defining a plan contrast view of a corresponding three dimensional shape and/or a cross sectional area defined by the three dimensional graphic data. The sets of two dimensional contrast data and three dimensional graphic data are correlated by alphanumerically coded retrieval keys. Groups of the two dimensional graphic data can be displayed on a screen of CRT display unit as key images. When an operator selects one or more of the key images, the corresponding three dimensional graphic information is retrieved via the retrieval keys and displayed on the screen of the CRT.
48 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for retrieving graphic data images representing three dimensional shapes, comprising:
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a CRT display unit comprising a display screen; a database comprising; first memory means for storing a plurality of sets of graphic data, each one of the plurality of sets of graphic data representing a three dimensional shape; contrast image generation means for generating a plurality of contrast images, each one of the plurality of contrast images being respectively generated from corresponding ones of the plurality of sets of graphic data, each one of the plurality of contrast images being a two dimensional contrast view of a represented three dimensional shape showing a contrast of a shape of the represented three dimensional shape; second memory means for storing the plurality of contrast images; and means for correlating each one of the plurality of sets of graphic data representing the plurality of contrast images with a corresponding one of the plurality of sets of graphic data;
controlling means for providing control signals from a user of the system; anda central processing unit comprising; first display means for displaying, in accordance with the control signals, a first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images on a first portion of the display screen; selecting means for selecting, in accordance with the control signals, at least one of the first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images displayed on the first portion of the display screen; retrieving means for retrieving one of the plurality of sets of graphic data corresponding to a selected one of the first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images out of the database; and second display means for displaying, on a second portion of the display screen, the three dimensional shape represented by the one of the plurality of sets of graphic data corresponding to the selected one of the first predetermined number of contrast images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for retrieving graphic data images representing three dimensional shapes, comprising the steps of:
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storing a plurality of sets of graphic data, each of the plurality of sets of graphic data representing a three dimensional shape in a database; generating a plurality of contrast images from corresponding ones of the plurality of sets of graphic data, each one of the plurality of contrast images being a two dimensional view of a represented three dimensional shape showing a contrast of a shape of the represented three dimensional shape; storing the plurality of contrast images in the database; correlating each of the plurality of contrast images with their corresponding one of the plurality of sets of graphic data; providing control signals to a central processing unit; firstly displaying, in accordance with the control signals, a first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images on a first portion of a display screen of a CRT display unit; selecting, in accordance with the control signals, at least one of the first predetermined number of the plurality of contrast images displayed on the first portion of the display screen; retrieving at least one of the sets of graphic data corresponding to the at least one contrast image selected by the selecting step out of the database; and secondly displaying, on a second portion of the display screen, the at least one of the sets of graphic data retrieved by the retrieving step. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification